Don’t tell us what to do – fishermen to DFO

By Tina Comeau

NovaNewsNow.com

Amid uncertainty over prices and uncertainty over markets, lobster fishermen are nervous heading into the upcoming lobster season.

But amid the uncertainty they’re certain of one thing – they won’t let DFO dictate any measures to reduce their landings based on economic times. DFO’s role, they say, is enforcement and conservation.

At the fall meeting of the lobster fishing area 34 advisory committee – which covers Yarmouth County, N.S. and parts of Shelburne and Digby counties – fishermen were given a report from DFO on the economic conditions facing the commercial season.

Because the presentation included possibilities for industry intervention or actions to reduce costs and landings, many in the room took that as DFO putting forth recommendations or measures to the industry, despite strong assertions on the part of DFO officials that they were doing nothing of the sort.

“I know it’s hard times but we’re putting the cart before the horse,” said Shelburne County fisherman Kevin Ross. “I can’t believe that DFO is trying to tell us how to go lobster fishing.”

“No, no, no,” stated DFO area director Ian Marshall, who said the point of the presentation was simply to put things in perspective on where the economy stands globally and where the lobster fishery falls into that. While DFO alluded to some things the industry might want to consider, Marshall said, “If there is no interest to do this around the table, fine. We’re not saying do this.”

But added Ross, “The scary part is when whenever DFO talks about stuff, that’s what ends up happening.”

However some fishermen said if anything is scary, it’s the economic outlook.

“I’m actually grateful that there are a few options that are being discussed,” said Yarmouth County fisherman Trent Shaw. “I’ve got to tell you, my stomach is in my boots this year…I’m grateful for whatever can be done to benefit my family. I don’t think everyone recognizes the seriousness.”

But other fishermen in the room said they don’t think it’s up to LFA 34 to go it alone to try and improve the season. Others said it will be up to fishermen and dealers to work things out.

“Why should only LFA 34 be talking about shortages?” asked Meteghan fisherman Roger LeBlanc. “We should all do it together.”

And fishermen said they certainly have no interest in landing their traps early, or going out with fewer ones, when they know people are illegally fishing in the waters they share.

During the discussion the port reps did not vote on measures aimed at reducing or slowing lobster landings this fall. While there had been talk of pushing back the opening of the season by one week, the committee stuck with the Nov. 24 opening.

Also, there was no consensus reached on whether fishermen should stay tied up on Sundays, like they did for some Sundays last year.

“Obviously from what we’ve been hearing, we have to do something,” West Pubnico rep Jeff d’Entremont said.

But while there was no final decision on the Sunday issue, the issue isn’t dead. Four port reps voted for no Sunday fishing, two voted to go on Sundays, three said they’d go with what the majority decided and five others said they would get back to DFO this week after they had surveyed the fishermen in their ports.